Py_INCREF/DECREF: When
- by Izz ad-Din Ruhulessin
Is one correct in stating the following:
If a Python object is created in a C function, but the function doesn't return it, no INCREF is needed, but a DECREF is.
[false]If the function does return it, you do need to INCREF, in the function that receives the return value.[/false]
When assigning C typed variables as attributes, like double, int etc., to the Python object, no INCREF or DECREF is needed.
Assigning Python objects as attributes to your other Python objects goes like this:
PyObject *foo;
foo = bar // A Python object
tmp = self->foo;
Py_INCREF(foo);
self->foo = foo;
Py_XDECREF(tmp);
//taken from the manual, but it is unclear if this works in every situation
EDIT: -- can I safely use this in every situation? (haven't run into one where it caused me problems)
dealloc of a Python object needs to DECREF for every other Python object that it has as an attribute, but not for attributes that are C types.
Edit
With 'C type as an attribute I mean bar and baz:
typedef struct {
PyObject_HEAD
PyObject *foo;
int bar;
double baz;
} FooBarBaz;
